JUST one point out of two games was the woeful weekend return for City of York Hockey Club men’s first team to weaken their grip on the Northern Hockey League division one top spot.

The first fixture pitted York away to Newcastle University I in their first outing since the pre-Christmas lay-off.

City began well getting into their stride with two reverse stick-strikes by Chris Wilson.

The students levelled the score but both goals were disputed hotly by City, so much so that Alex Cockram was red-carded.

The loss of discipline blighted the cause of the visitors, who conceded an unanswered second half goal to slide to their first defeat of the season.

It was another away-day 24 hours later at Urmston I in west Lancashire.

York trailed, but countered after the interval with a leveller from Cockram after Luke Ramli drove the ball into the hosts ‘D’ to salvage a point.

City of York II maintained their excellent form with a dominant display to beat Harrogate II 4-2 in a Yorkshire League division one top-of-the-table clash at Granby.

York struck first with Alex Fletcher scoring after a Harrogate penalty corner broke down.

The hosts bounced back to lead 2-1, but York responded through Matt Tipper’s excellent reverse stick strike, which found the bottom corner of the net.

Mike Sansoni then restored York’s lead, applying a clinical touch to a drilled cross.

York controlled the second half, with man of the match Avthar Matharu ensuring Harrogate were never able to threaten in midfield.

Further chances were created by York and Tipper was on hand to score his second to seal the win.

Despite a 3-0 defeat at home to Old Malton I, City of York IV took comfort from holding a side, who usually average five goals a game.

City created two or three chances in the opening quarter before Old Malton drew ahead.

After the break York’s Tim Lister twice went close before the visitors took command.

In division five north, City of York V gained a 1-1 draw in terrible conditions at Bradford II.

Bradford scored midway through a first half riddled with mistakes from both sides.

After spurning several opportunities, York equalised late on thanks to an excellent run and persistence from Jonny Kilmartin.

City of York VI perished 7-2 at home to a fitter, faster and more skilful York University II team in division five north.

Both City goals were notched by Rikki Lawrence.

In the same division, City of York VII lost 4-1 to robust hosts Driffield II.

Driffield went 2-0 up before a well-worked short corner saw Pat Birch tee up Dennis Hooton.

But the hosts scored again before half-time and added a late fourth.

City of York VIII went down 4-0 at Boston Spa in division six north after a goalless first half.

There were no fixtures for City of York III, City of York IX and City of York X.